How to Choose Ceiling Wallpaper That Works with Your Room
The ceiling wallpaper should be visually appealing when viewed from the entrance of the room, as well as when looking at it while sitting on the couch or lying down in bed; not solely in a picture.
Consider these three angles first, and then take into account the size of your room, what other pieces of furniture are currently in your room, and the overall mood you wish to create within the space.
Choose the atmosphere and coverage
Soft contrasts may be appropriate for a peaceful bedroom; whereas stronger shapes provide a more expressive living space. When coordinating your ceiling color with your wall colors, create continuity. However, if you would like to draw attention upward, consider creating contrast.
Use either all of the ceiling for a uniform look, or only a portion of it that is recessed for a contained focal point. For an asymmetrical room, consider positioning the design on the side where the majority of your furniture will sit, as opposed to immediately placing the center of the design in the center of the room.
When comparing Ceiling Wallpaper, view the design direction from various positions. A scene that is directional could be upside down if viewed from a different chair.
Plan around fittings and ceiling details
You should take measurements and make a drawing of the ceiling, indicating where any skylights, vents, detectors, electrical outlets, and/or access panels are located. These should be kept clear of obstacles and accessible. You will need to indicate any cornices and/or ceiling roses that may limit your ability to design the entire area of the ceiling.
A central hanging pendant or fan can hide the center of attention on a mural. Position important artwork next to the pendant/fan while viewing how it looks when hung and from underneath. Ask for a preview of the cropped image based upon your size.
The beam divides the composition; the slope changes the point of view. The recess creates the border. An interruption of this type can usually be handled by repeating elements, rather than creating a whole new scene that would require a full image.
Match scale to height and visible area
Scale is judged first by how much of a rooms ceiling is unobstructed, then by its floor area and the relationship between those two areas. A high ceiling makes it difficult to see small design features, while a low ceiling provides a better view of bold designs.
In a small room with a low ceiling, large, widely spaced shapes will most likely be more visually calming than a dense pattern of tiny motifs. To determine whether a particular pattern size is appropriate for your space, check the actual size of the pattern, rather than making the assumption that a smaller pattern is always better.
Additionally, having a full-scale sample of the wallpaper can assist in identifying if a motif is too large for the area.
When choosing a design to repeat on an irregular layout or from different viewing angles, select a design with a natural flow when viewed above. The design should also be able to be viewed in its entirety without interruption.
In addition to selecting a design with a natural flow when viewed above and which can be viewed in its entirety without interruption, consider limiting the use of decorative elements around the ceiling as much as possible if the ceiling has many things going on.
Test colour under your lighting
When comparing paint colors to fixed finishes (such as flooring and wood), a dark-colored wallpaper applied to a ceiling will provide a sense of intimacy; however, the success of this effect is based upon the amount of contrast created between the color of the ceiling and the color of the walls, as well as the lighting within the room and the overall size of the space.
In an area where there is little natural light, it is best to view your sample under the light that you would usually use. Design elements that are light in color will appear less bright in shadows, while darker elements will lose some of their details.
View samples overhead
Printed colors are affected by the way they are viewed, as well as the light sources that illuminate them. Screens produce light, while printed materials reflect light. When possible, it is best to view sample colors above your head (using a safe method) to observe how the color appears under different types of illumination throughout the day and evening.
When you use shortlists of wallpaper designs from XWALLX, you can see how different types of lighting affect them using physical samples. Uplighting shows off texture, while ceiling lights and pendant lights create brighter areas of light and shadow.
Coordinate furnishings, walls and trim
Patterned curtains that already exist could go well with a less busy ceiling design using only one color. If you have patterned walls or upholstery, they can work with your patterned ceiling as long as the size and/or contrast of each pattern is different.
With large-scale overhead artwork, you can create a feeling of openness with a simple wall color, or even with simpler bedding. When choosing your wall color, use one that will complement the colors used in the artwork (or use a similar color) and test how well the trim and/or cornices work with the selected color.
Using a plain wall and a wallpapered ceiling creates one area of interest. Wallpapering both areas will allow for an enveloping scheme to be created, especially when using a restrained pattern and planning the transitions correctly.
Check suitability and future flexibility
Check with the manufacturer regarding the suitability of ceilings, proper surface preparation, and the compatibility of adhesives. Neither the products appearance nor its peel and stick application indicate that it can be applied to an overhead surface.
When selecting wallpaper for your ceiling, select a design that will coordinate well with multiple fabrics used throughout the home, as opposed to just the fabric on the sofa you are currently using. Your adjoining rooms do not have to be coordinated; however, if there is a common color scheme, that can create a connection between the ceiling treatments of both areas.
Make sure that the orientation, crop and area of the artwork you can see is correct based on where you normally sit. You should also check the installation needs of each option separately, so you can let the look of the item and how well it will fit in the space help you decide which one you want to buy.
Our writers like to find the latest trends for home decor. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs. Download our free bathroom renovation guide here.
